The redbrick Substation, built in the early 20th century, which is located on the corner of East Wall Road and Alexandra Road, once played a pivotal role in the early electrification of Dublin Port. The building has been expertly restored and reimagined by the team at Dublin Port – with the help of Dunwoody & Dobson and Darmody Architecture – as a modern museum that will play a central role in telling Dublin Port’s story to audiences today.
During refurbishment works on site, part of the city’s original sea wall was discovered running underneath the Substation. The 18th century sea wall once served to protect the East Wall from flooding and was a catalyst for the North Lotts reclamation of centuries ago. Dublin Port, together with a multidisciplinary team has worked to preserve and expose the sea wall underneath a glass floor inside the building.
History of Substation
Originally slated for demolition in 2016, the former ESB Substation is now a protected structure, whose historic value has been recognised and valued and was the subject of an ambitious restoration, which saw the original two-storey redbrick building made secure, increasing to double-height as the first floor was removed, and eventually being joined by a completely new, mostly glass extension, which has doubled the building’s footprint.
Future for the Substation
The Substation forms part of the Distributed Museum concept, like the Diving Bell and Crane 292, which are strong visual symbols of the Port and its functions. In many ways, the Substation marks the physical dividing line between the City and the Port and has considerable potential to be an anchor for the entire Port experience. As a multi-functional space, it will host a range of small-scale events such as lectures and seminars, poetry reading, music recital, intimate experimental theatre performance, pop-up café, or a teaching space.
Video Gallery
